The days are dwindling and anticipation is building for a Memphis Grizzlies season that is expected to go much better than the last one.

Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. are all healthy, plus the team has several key contributors positioned to have strong seasons. One of those players is rookie first-round pick Zach Edey.

Morant had a chance to work out with Edey for a week earlier this summer in Dallas, and the experience left the Grizzlies' All-Star point guard impressed.

How impressed? Well, Morant isn't shying away from putting strong expectations on the 7-foot-4 center. He believes Edey could be taking hardware home at the end of the season.

"Definitely rookie of the year," Morant said of his expectations. "I think easily, too."

He said he wasn't surprised to see Edey perform well in workouts, but it was an encouraging sign. Morant prides himself on summer workouts that he refers to as "boot camp," and Edey held his own.

"For him to come in and say he wants to work out with me and then getting through the workout throughout the whole week, it was big-time for him," Morant said. "It made me excited to have him on the team. His skill set is even much better."

Morant and Edey aren't the only Grizzlies players who have worked out together. Bane and Jackson also conducted workouts togethers, and more Memphis players have recently been involved in five-on-five basketball sessions leading up to training camp in October.

Morant forgotten among the stars?

When Morant is back on the floor in competition, it will be the first time since January. In the eighth months since, other youthful NBA stars have risen in popularity due to strong regular-season play and postseason performances.

It was something his agent, Mike Miller, noticed and questioned onlookers if they forgot what Morant brings to the table. Morant himself has noticed, too.

"Aye, man, that's what happens," he said. "I love it. I don't got no problem with it . . . I see all of it. I'm not worried. I like it even more. That's just less pressure they're trying to put on me. That makes it even more scarier."

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Morant, Grizzlies community work

When Morant walked in the gymnasium on Thursday afternoon, he was back in familiar territory.

No, this wasn't FedExForum. Morant returned to Streets Ministries, where a year ago he surprised a group of kids at a basketball camp in Graham Heights.

This time, he was with the Grizzlies as part of their "meals of hope" community event. Grizzlies players, staff and new investing partner Robinhood helped package 60,000 meals. The event had a competitive spirit to it, too, with each table trying to box the most meals.

Morant, who called himself the "stamp man" in his group, was with Jake LaRavia and John Konchar.

"Just to see everybody coming in here, and you see the joy everybody has on their face here," Morant said. "It's definitely fun. For me, giving back is always something I pretty much done, and something I can give credit to my family for with how they raised me."

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant on Grizzlies big Zach Edey: 'Definitely rookie of the year'